Journalism and Media Studies Major

Journalism and Media Studies: Your Future Starts Here

What do successful broadcasters, writers, developers of new media, journalists and production specialists have in common with people in business, government, education, and almost any field?

They all know how to write and share news and information.

The Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) major at Rutgers School of Communication and Information (SC&I) offers students a platform to gain the skills and experience to confidentially say…

‘This is the information I need to convey. This is how I’m going to do it.’

The JMS Major Can Take You Anywhere

JMS majors often enter the worlds of news, entertainment, or sports media. But their career paths also lead to public relations, marketing, business, politics, graduate school or other fields. In any situation, JMS graduates have been prepared to craft content, with words and pictures, which draw on thoughtful interactions and thorough research across a variety of media platforms.

JMS: Preparation for Decision Making

Whether on social media, broadcast platforms, websites, or even the company intranet, news and information are being delivered faster and with more impact every day. A JMS degree puts students in charge of news and information. It prepares students for the responsibility of rapid decision-making and the accountability that follows.

JMS: Ready for Innovation

The current media landscape is in a period of great transition, ripe for innovation and change. JMS majors learn to navigate media professions by gaining practical experience grounded in theory and professional knowledge. Students who major in JMS prepare for careers, and to work in, understand, and analyze media in positions that may not yet exist.

The JMS major focuses on writing and producing for:

Digital Media

Magazines

Television

Radio

Newspapers

Publishing

As students gain insight on the nuances of serving each of these sectors, they will learn the responsibilities of news media and how to disseminate information. Students will also gain a foundation in how to examine ethical and legal practices, and will discover methods to evaluate effective media performance.

Learning Goals

JMS has an energetic, enthusiastic, and experienced faculty that brings a wealth of knowledge and dynamic research to the classroom. Our faculty include engaged teachers who provide students with a wide range of course options, and help students to be better-equipped professionals and members of society.

Our faculty is dedicated to these JMS learning goals for students:

Expression

Analysis

Demonstrate analytical and critical thinking, formulate research questions and use appropriate methods, evaluate and use appropriate sources. Identify and gather relevant data in journalism and media contexts.

Ethics

Develop a critical understanding of the ethical standards and tensions in journalistic and media practices, and institutions, and apply this understanding to academic and professional activities.

Power

Critically analyze issues of diversity, difference, social justice, and power in media in a global context.

Systems

Innovation

Innovate with tools and technologies appropriate for media professions.

Program Information

The JMS major is open to students in the Rutgers School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. It is also available as a second major for students in some other Rutgers schools. Students must meet all requirements of their school as well as the requirements specified for the major.

Interested students should examine the New Brunswick Undergraduate Catalog for information on admissions, financial aid, academic policies and procedures, and degree requirements of the individual colleges. Students are also advised to speak with an advisor at their school or with the SC&I Office of Student Services or Steve Miller, Coordinator of Undergraduate Studies, to craft a plan that will help complete the JMS major in concert with any of their other academic goals.

All JMS courses (except the JMS internships, course numbers 04:567:393 and 04:567:394) must be taken for a grade and the assigned academic credit. A grade below “C” will not be accepted toward the major. No more than six transfer credits (two courses) will be accepted toward the major with a maximum of one course each from the skills and conceptual areas.

To find more about the JMS major and other academic considerations, please download the JMS Handbook.

Rutgers University is fundraising to establish the first ever Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair in Media, Culture and Feminist Studies. Through this groundbreaking chair, Rutgers will educate future generations of students from under-represented groups, to harness the power of media and transform society.